2
Opinion
Wed
Wednesday, February 6, 1991
The Battalion
Opinion Page Editor
Jennifer Jeffus
MARCHES
© \W\ THE RKC-Rp
NEW -JERSEY
Protesters stress draft
to win support for peace
n the midst of all of the anti
war, anti-military protests the last few
weeks, it's interesting to notice some of the
chants which are being heard at the rallies.
Two of the most ludicrous deal with
(Surprise!) peace and the draft. The old
Vietnam protest crowd has come out of
hibernation and with them are their battle
cries of, “Give peace a chance" and "Peace
at any price."
Well, bless my tie-dyed soul. Such noble
sentiments are enough to change the mind
of any warmongering hawk on the planet,
just like they did in the '60s. Yeah, right.
Protesting pacifists do so because they
supposedly believe that nothing is worth
killing for. So be it. Their minds are made,
as is mine.
What boggles my mind is the inordinate
amount of time which the protesters spend
worrying about the military draft, which
hasn't been in effect for almost 20 years.
They march around screaming, "Hell no,
we won't go! We won't fight for Texaco!"
and other little rhythmic jingles which must
have been thought up by Jesse Jackson's
speech writer.
Looking over the crowd which was
involved in these protests, it occurred to me
that damn few ever had to worry about
military service if the draft were reinstated,
but just the same I'd help alleviate their
fears by writing about who won't be
drafted.
As most people are aware, the U.S.
Selective Service System has been in place
since 1980, registering and maintaining the
names of 14 million young men between
the ages of 18 and 26. This fact alone means
that all of the men older than 26 don't have
to worry about being drafted. Women
won't have to worry either.
If a draft ever were reinstated, it becomes
a little more difficult for men 26 and
younger to avoid service, but there are
exceptions. Homosexual-rights
organizations, anti-draft groups and a
California church which will ordain
anybody foresee a rush to their ranks
during a protracted conflict. Affiliation with
these groups could be useful in petitioning
for an exemption from military service.
If Congress were to approve a draft, a
lottery would be held and induction notices
sent based on a random sequence of birth
dates. The first call-up would be men who
turn 20 in the calendar year of the draft,
followed by 21, 22, et cetera on through the
age of 26. Twenty year olds would be the
youngest age group drafted.
Draftees then would have 10 days to file
for a deferment, which would postpone
their induction until a hearing before a five-
member local draft board. Deferments are
given for several reasons.
Homosexuals are exempt, as are clergy
who "preach and teach as their customary
vocation." Conscientious objectors whose
claims are upheld by draft boards can be
assigned to either non-combat military roles
or to civilian public service, depending on
their beliefs.
Most veterans are exempt, as are people
who have fought in other nation's armies,
certain resident aliens, members of
Congress, the vice president and president.
All of this is irrelevant because war is
currently being waged by an all-volunteer
army with an apparently high degree of
success. Frequent use of the word "if" in
relation to the draft underscores the very
small likelihood a military draft will be
necessary.
The truth is that the "peace movement" is
trying to hide its gray hairs by using the
specter of a draft to lure young people into
its ranks.
The ones who are yelling the loudest that
"We won't go" know they won't be called
on to go. They know that, in all likelihood,
no one will. Most of all, they know an
opportunity when they see one.
Larry Cox is a graduate student in range
science.
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Freedom begins between the ears
EDITOR:
In his Feb. 4 letter, B. Jon Traylor spoke of protesters and dissenters
against military involvement in the Middle East by calling them a disgrace
to the country and our University. He suggested that if they don't like it,
they should leave and concluded with the statement, "We don't need
you."
Obviously, Traylor, you do need us. You forget that some of the finest
moments in American history were based in protest and dissent. A few ex
amples come to mind; Philadelphia, July 4, 1776; Montgomery, Ala., 1956;
and Selma, Ala., 1965. These are famous examples of protesters and dis
senters who fought with everything the flag stands for: bravery, courage
and honor. Do you suggest they should have left?
Our quarrel is with our government, not our country. I love America,
and that's why I don't love its government.
A true patriot is always ready to defend his country from its govern
ment, to paraphrase Edward Abbey, and today's protesters are doing just
that. So think about it; freedom begins between the ears ...
Dwight Barry '92
Jeffer]
Junior
Yorktc
Yes,
keeps
insteac
ment),
among
Don't criticize protesters
EDITOR:
This is in response to two opinions in the Feb. 4 issue of The Battalion.
First, to Chad Walters. I agree that we can do nothing about past mis
takes. However, I do not feel support for troops has anything to do with
supporting the war itself.
I support the troops and am very appreciative that they are willing to
fight for my defense. However, I do not feel this war is in my defense. My
defense stops where my constitutional rights do: At the U.S. borders.
I do not want my support for the troops confused with support for the
President's policy or actions in this situation. I regret that our troops are
being used as a foreign policy tool (for a confusing policy at that).
Next, to B. Jon Traylor; I have never spit on an American flag or in any
other way defiled or desecrated it. I have a right to my own opinion on this
situation because this is a democratic society where such outrages are pro
tected. Your forefathers (circa 1770s) would roll in their graves over the
narrow-minded attitudes expressed in your letter — and then wrapped ina
flag.
On the subject of transportation; If you are so gung ho about the fight
ing in the gulf, I will willingly provide your will a passenger seat ride to the
nearest recruiting office.
Love it or try to fix it, that's what this two party, constitutional right;
type of democratic system is all about. If someone thinks protest will work
who are you to put them down?
Steven E. Bond '91
Animals still a must for medical research
EDITOR:
Reading Mr. Truesdale's column, I was wondering, "What color is the
sky in his world?"
His unrealistic approach to medical research and lack of knowledge in
that field are obvious. It's just too bad that he uses animal rights issues te
profess his anti-corporate/pro-socialist opinion; but then again, that is the
history of that movement.
Truesdale's arguments are vague, and he attempts to legitimize their
by the fact that he expressed them. He writes "... American corporation:
underestimated the power of environmentalist groups." What power is he
talking about? And if they have this power, have they used it? Truesdale
thinks so.
He then claims that since the corporations lost so "dramatically"
should use a different tactic in attacking animal rights groups other
the "either/or" fallacy. How does he know they lost, and what criteriaishe
using to come to these conclusions? Come on Truesdale, you just can
throw stuff out like that and hope someone will believe it.
Finally, I address the heart of whatever his argument might be aboul
The quality of life that human beings have achieved in the area of!
care is directly proportional to research done in drug development, i
cal techniques, rehabilitation and genetics to name a few. Most of this re
search has been accomplished with the aid of animals.
Contrary to Truesdale's wild imagination, scientists performing the ei
periments are not sadistic, insensitive monsters inflicting pain for person
satisfaction or profits. In fact, they go to great length to minimize andmofi
often eradicate any pain.
The advent of the computer age has supplemented researchers' worl
but it is by no means a substitute for animal testing. The type of compute
simulations needed to imitate biological cells and physiological processe
are decades from fruition.
Remember Truesdale, that the fields of biology, biochemistry and phvi
iology are complex. Much of the information available has been dor
through research and experimentation, something that it appears you a:
against.
It is impossible to support medical research without the use of anima
and expect the tremendous gains for human use. If we had adoptedtf
views of Truesdale at the turn of the century, vast numbers of human b
ings would be plagued with polio, small pox and other preventable d; ;
eases.
Michael Aspinall '90
by Nil
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